The Kingdom has spent more than SR1 billion to treat 4,723 Saudi patients abroad during 1434 Hijri, the Ministry of Health announced here on Sunday.

Mishal Abdullah Al-Mishal, general director of the Medical Authorities and Medical Attaches, said that the High Medical Commission approved 2,781 patient cases, while the remaining patients were treated abroad on royal decrees.

He said the patients received treatment in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore and China.

The United States remains the top destination for medical treatments followed by Germany and the United Kingdom.

Al-Mishal said the decision to treat patients abroad is based on a royal decree or a recommendation made by the High Medical Commission, which deals with these acute cases.

Members of the commission are representatives from various health departments such as the medical services department at the Ministry of Defense, the department of health affairs at the Ministry of National Guard, the medical services department at the Ministry of Interior, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, university hospitals and the Ministry of Health.

He explained that there is no ceiling for overseas medical allocations and all deserving patients will be given the needed opportunity for medical treatment abroad.

He pointed out that there are 18 medical committees spread throughout the Kingdom to deal with such cases. The Kingdom has also appointed three attachés in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Earlier this year, the Council of Ministers decided to allocate SR600 per day for Saudis receiving medical treatment and those accompanying them outside the Kingdom. The council also allocated SR300 per day for those being treated inside the Kingdom. “This was an amendment to the then law,” he added.

Patients, including children, referred for treatment outside the Kingdom, are given financial assistance amounting to SR300 per day, for whoever is treated outside of the hospital.

The official said patients considered for treatment abroad are people whose diseases cannot be treated in the Kingdom. He said the respective doctors should certify that treatment for such patients is not available in the Kingdom.

The Saudi missions abroad have been instructed to identify the right hospitals for overseas treatment and the patients are informed accordingly, Al-Mishal said.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has directed the Ministry of Health to provide the best possible health care services to citizens both in and out of the Kingdom. To help meet the king’s expectations, the High Medical Commission has been assigned to assist and coordinate with such patients.

He explained that the process of referring cases to be treated abroad involves studying each case objectively, scientifically, practically and fairly to reach the best decision, bearing in mind the patient’s best interests.

The commission also communicates with physicians in the Kingdom to discuss cases subjectively. X-rays, CDs and laboratory results are studied in order to determine a treatment plan, after which a statement is issued as to whether or not patients will be granted treatment abroad at government expenses.

He pointed out that the MoH facilitates visas and arranges transport for patients and their companions by commercial or medical evacuation aircraft.

Royal directives stipulate that companions must be both Saudis and also first-degree relatives. The Saudi health offices abroad arrange appointments for patients at overseas treatment centers and supervise their treatment.